Los Angeles is a vibrant city offering an array of activities, especially during the warmer months. Brendan Brown, a prominent luxury real estate agent AT OFFICIAL in Beverly Hills, shares his top recommendations for making the most of your time in the city.
EAT: Uchi
A national sushi brand with a ravenous fandom just landed its first West Coast restaurant, Uchi in West Hollywood. Founded in 2003 by James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, sprouted from Austin before expanding to Miami, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and beyond.
“Los Angeles is known to have some of the best sushi in the world. We’re very, very humble in that we know we’ve got a lot of competition, but I think we’ll stand on our own. Uchi is very unique and its own thing.” Unique to West Hollywood is the bar menu; most Uchi locations and offshoots offer a happy hour, but here, Hammond and the team hope to create an entirely different set of bar-only bites — such as fried pork belly over maitake chawanmushi, or beef tartare over house-made milk bread seared in rendered A5 Wagyu fat — that could be worthy of their own visit at any time.
Brendan’s Take: The food here is so that good, it will leave you talking about it for days to come. Rarely am I blown away from a dining experience or how great the food is, but each and every item that came out was better than the last.
STAY: CHATEAU MARMONT
Embrace the historic allure of Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard, where Hollywood legends have long found refuge. Brendan Brown reminisces about the charm and privacy that make this hotel an iconic Los Angeles landmark.
This famous (and infamous) castle-like hotel has stood sentry on the Sunset Strip since the 1920s, welcoming a long, long list of Hollywood notables and their attendant scandals and tragedies. Jim Belushi died in Bungalow 3, and Lindsay Lohan was banned for not paying a bill of more than $46,000, to name just a couple. This is all part of its enduring appeal. While many of the rooms are in dire need of updating, that is what adds to the appeal for most. The romantic public areas with wood-beamed ceilings, candle-lit corner tables, and tile floors could never be recreated.
It’s long been a hideout for Hollywood greats, who love it for the tight-lipped, discreet staff and private entrances that guarantee anonymity. You’re either a guest because you want that same treatment, want to spot celebs, or want to stay in a piece of L.A. history.
There are a mix of rooms, bungalows (hillside and poolside), garden cottages, and suites. It was last renovated in the 1990s by Andrés Balazs, who gave it a more contemporary feel without eliminating old-school charms. Skip the standard rooms if you can swing it. The real Chateau experience comes from the cottages and bungalows.
There’s one restaurant, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and late night (midnight to 6:30 a.m.) It has seating indoors and on the garden patio, but photos are not allowed, so leave those phones in your pockets or purse. Brendan’s Take: I’m the wrong person for an objective view on the Chateau Marmont, as not only have I previously lived here but I was also married here. I can’t think of a hotel that more epitomizes Los Angeles, especially during the summer when the Garden and the pool get the most use.
Shop: Saks Beverly Hills
Explore the newly renovated Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, offering luxurious private shopping experiences, and the Hollywood Suite, perfect for fashion aficionados seeking the latest designer trends.
Looking for a private, pink-hued two-story suite with a view of the Hollywood Sign in which to try on the latest designer looks? Look no further than the top floor of Saks Fifth Avenue‘s new Beverly Hills store. Housed inside the 130,000-square-foot building at 9570 Wilshire Boulevard that once housed Barneys New York, dubbed the Hollywood Suite, the airy, intimate space is one of a total of 15 private salons located on the fifth floor of the new department store, which Saks has renovated to the tune of $52 million.
The suites comprise the Fifth Avenue Club, the private-client shopping and styling services area of the store (which also has its own direct elevator to whisk clients up to the fifth floor). But while the word “club” might sound like something akin to the retail version of Soho House, John Antonini, Saks’ SVP, director of stores, explains that “these personal shopping services are by appointment only, but free of charge. Anybody can sign up for them to meet with a personal shopper. Many of our clients develop lifelong relationships with our shoppers and we curate lifestyle-ready wardrobes.
”One thing inveterate shoppers will note is that this new Saks Fifth Avenue store has preserved the Regency-style marble staircase as well as the impressive skylight that highlighted the old Barneys store. “We’ve really left the centerpiece of the building untouched,” says Antonini.
But the rest of the property basically underwent a gut renovation, which began two years ago. The building had sat empty after Barneys New York went bankrupt in 2019. That opened the way for Saks to move from its longtime, eight-floor Hollywood Regency home a block to the west, which it had occupied since 1938. One appeal of the new address is that it’s that much closer to Rodeo Drive, which Antonini predicts will make for more walk-in customers. The move also is part of a larger master plan — Saks’ owner, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) has plans to redevelop the original Saks store as a mixed-use site and construct additional office and residential buildings. The longtime Saks men’s store, also located on Wilshire Boulevard, will remain in place. “What this becomes is an extremely exciting block where our two Saks Fifth Avenue stores anchor a beautiful redevelopment of Wilshire that will have lots of different components to it,” says Antonini.
Brendan’s Take: It’s amazing that the former site of Barney’s New York is open once again, the store is truly reimagined and everything one would hope. Men, however, must still shop next door which makes it a huge feat for the ladies more than the men!
Shop Rodeo Drive: Luxury Brands Galore
Rodeo Drive remains a global shopping destination, featuring luxury brands like Loewe, Saint Laurent, and Celine. Brendan Brown highlights the unmatched shopping experience and impeccable service available in this iconic location.
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Rodeo Drive brings together the best of every brand, with something for everyone. From Loewe, Celine, St. Laurent, Amiri, Rimowa, Chanel, Gucci, Goyard, Ralph Lauren, and Cartier. Rodeo Drive is known as the world’s best, and for good reason. Brendan’s Take: It has everything you want and needs. Whether looking to spend a day or an hour, know where you’re going and utilize the best service in the world.
SUN: PARADISE COVE BEACH CLUB, MALIBU
Paradise Cove Beach is a tiny, public/private beach tucked beneath the cliffs of Malibu. It's mostly under the auspices of the Paradise Cove Beach Café, who provide all the amenities, but you can access the beach for free if you want to swim or surf. Parking at Paradise Cove Beach is pretty tricky. If you eat at the Paradise Cove Beach Café (where you must spend at least $30), four hours of parking is $6 on weekdays and $8 on weekends. Otherwise, parking is $35 on weekdays and $50 on weekends.
People come to Paradise Cove Beach to rent the fenced-in beach terraces ($495/weekday, $795/weekend day), double beach beds ($30/$60), or chaise lounges ($30/$60). Beach towels are included, but anything else you want to bring—wine and beer are allowed—is up to you.
Once you're in your chaise lounge or happily set up on your terrace, the water is clear enough to swim. The real reason to come to Paradise Cove is to access the private terraces, beach beds, and lounges. If you can pony up the cash, it's one of the most relaxing spots in Malibu.
Discover the best of LOS ANGELES
For those who are fortunate enough to live or visit this beautiful area, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills are many things to many people. Its versatility, beauty, weather, and luxurious lifestyle draw in visitors and residents every year, with everyone eager to experience the history and fashion of the area. If you find yourself looking to buy or sell a home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, or Malibu; reach out to Brendan Brown. With his extensive experience and local expertise, Brendan ensures top value and personalized service. Reach out to Brendan today.
